Three men with learning difficulties who stole hundreds of pounds from another man with special needs have each been handed a conditional discharge.

Christopher Hutchings, Johnny Davis and Timothy Robinson took more than £800 from 29-year-old Benjamin Lightfoot in Purley and Shinfield between October and November.

Reading Magistrates’ Court heard on Monday how the three thieves and their victim each suffer with either Asperger’s syndrome or autism with the latter also diagnosed with Tourette’s.

Salma Yousef, prosecuting, explained all four were living in supportive living accommodation run by the Jigsaw Trust and paid for by social services.

She said: “The aggrieved was having problems with his bank account when direct debits for his accommodation had not been paid as there was not enough money in the account.”

Jigsaw team leader investigated with Mr Lightfoot and found withdrawals had been made and Hutchings, Davis and Robinson each admitted taking the cash.

Hutchings and Davis admitted a joint charge of theft comprising several offences along with individual charges for theft while Robinson admitted a single count of theft. The court heard the thieves had begun paying back their victim.

Sentencing, chairwoman of the bench Jackie Rance told the defendants this was “an exceptional case” and diverted from normal sentencing guidelines.

Davis, 19, and Hutchings, 20, both of St Mary’s Avenue, Purley, were given 24-month conditional discharges while Robinson, of Falcon Avenue, Whitley, was given a 12-month conditional disharge.